In October 2024, that vision came to life with the pilot launch of B’Odogwu, Nigeria’s homegrown customs platform, at the Port Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) command in Lagos.
This pilot was more than a system test – it was a proof of concept for digital transformation led by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), supported by cb-xp’s expertise in delivering scalable, sovereign customs technology.
Fully bespoke, locally controlled
B’Odogwu – officially known as the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS) – was developed over 12 months by cb-xp in direct collaboration with TMP/NCS. Unlike vendor-controlled platforms, B’Odogwu is fully hosted in Nigeria, giving the NCS total autonomy over its data, infrastructure and future upgrades.
Our team worked hand-in-hand with NCS officials on the ground in Abuja to build a platform that meets local needs while aligning with international standards. This was not just about installing a system – it encompassed knowledge transfer and detailed staff training, to ensure a confident handover of over operational control. This ‘build-and-release’ approach is central to cb-xp’s ethos: we don’t stay to manage – we empower you to lead.
PTML Pilot results
Launched on October 23, 2024, the B’Odogwu pilot at PTML quickly proved its value:
- Over 16,000 declarations processed within four months
- N150 billion in revenue generated during the pilot period
- A record-breaking N44.9 billion collected in November 2024 alone – the highest monthly figure in the command’s history
These results demonstrated the system’s potential, not just for efficient cargo processing, but for significant revenue optimisation.
Financial integration
As part of the pilot, B’Odogwu was integrated with 25 financial institutions to streamline import duty payments. With real-time payment visibility and adaptable backend configuration, B’Odogwu is better equipped to handle financial bottlenecks and ensure faster cargo release.
A launchpad for nationwide expansion
Following the pilot’s success, the NCS has now begun preparing for full-scale deployment across Nigeria’s busiest ports, including Apapa and Tin Can Island. Pre-launch training sessions and stakeholder engagement events have already begun, paving the way for broader implementation.
At PTML, this pilot was not just a systems test, it was the validation of Nigeria’s capability to run a sovereign customs platform at scale.
To learn how cb-xp can help your country develop and own a future-proof customs system, get in touch.